Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail)

I wish to be associated with the tributes to the late Senator Tony Kett. I offer my condolences to his widow, Noreen, and the other members of his family.

During the 2002 election, as a result of Deputy Bertie Ahern's connections in west Cork - his mother was from Bantry and his father from the Kinsale area - I used the slogan "Let Bertie's boy be put to work for west Cork". However, that was just for electoral purposes because Tony was the real "Bertie's boy".

Member will be aware that I regard canvassing for election to the Seanad as being tougher than canvassing for election to the Dáil. It is like fishing, one has good days and one has bad days. It is similar to the parable in which the fishermen were out all night but caught nothing. During the most recent Seanad election campaign I recall enduring an extremely frustrating time while trying to canvass parts of Dublin on a Sunday. Canvassing in rural areas can be difficult but there are ways and means of doing so. Dublin is a different story. On the day in question I met two or three individuals early on - either after mass or before lunch. Unfortunately, in my eagerness to get out on the canvass I had completely forgotten that Dublin were playing in Croke Park in the Leinster championship on that day. I wasted approximately five hours trying to negotiate the match day traffic and eventually decided to throw in the towel because I was going nowhere. Tony sent me a message on my mobile phone - possibly as late as 10.30 p.m. when I was contemplating returning to the nest - to the effect that I should go to a certain pub on the northside. It was like landing a haul of fish. There were five or six people there, including the then Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern; his brother, Deputy Noel Ahern; Deputy Finian McGrath and a couple of others. This made what had been an extremely frustrating day worthwhile. I am not stating those present all gave me their No. 1 vote. However, I will always remember Tony's gesture of kindness, particularly, as stated, I had spent a frustrating few hours - it must be remembered that it was a fine day and people had either gone out or were attending the match to support Dublin - during which I could not meet anyone. I was so happy that I got to meet five or six potential voters at one venue in north Dublin. To put the icing on the cake, Tony called to Deputy Bertie Ahern who was at the bar and told him to be sure to buy me a pint. That night I got the first and only drink Deputy Bertie Ahern has ever bought for me thanks to Tony. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.